Etihad disembark disabled passenger

[WingNut60]

Being reported that Ethad were fined approx. $50,000 today in a Jakarta court for disembarking or refusing embarkation for a disabled passenger in a wheelchair, because she was not accompanied by an assistant.

I can sort of see the airlines point of view, however the judge did not agree, saying that "Etihad Airways as an airline must provide access, facilities and special assistance to persons with disabilities".
The magistrate went on to say that "as a passenger with special needs, the complainant was entitled to additional facilities such as seating, facilities for boarding and disembarkation, facilities while on board the aircraft, and other supporting facilities for persons with disabilities.

Being oblivious to such requirements, what rules do other airlines have for these circumstances?

[peekay4]

what rules do other airlines have for these circumstances?

It depends on the level of disability.

On long haul flights there are considerations such as the passenger's ability to access and use the restrooms (via an on board wheelchair), eat meals, etc. As you can imagine there are many functions the crew cannot completely help with.

I.e., during flight the crew can bring a wheelchair along the aisle to the passenger's seat row -- typically the passenger would be seated by the window for safety reasons -- but the passenger must be able to get on & off the wheelchair with only minimal assistance, and must be self-sufficient in the restrooms.

Generally, if the passenger cannot be self-sufficient to this level, then the passenger must travel with his/her own care assistant.

So it's hard to say if this ruling was a correct one, without details regarding the passenger's level of self-sufficiency.

Ironically, this passenger was traveling to a UN disability rights conference in Geneva, as Indonesia's sole delegate to the conference. She was already on board the aircraft when Etihad made the decision to disembark her.

[WingNut60]

Originally Posted by peekay4

............Ironically, this passenger was traveling to a UN disability rights conference in Geneva, as Indonesia's sole delegate to the conference. She was already on board the aircraft when Etihad made the decision to disembark her.

And it was South Jakarta court; renowned for delivering favourable decisions to those prepared to "return the favour".